Aaron Pico

Aaron Pico (born September 23, 1996) is an American mixed martial artist and former freestyle wrestler currently competing in the featherweight division of Bellator MMA. As a freestyle wrestler, Pico is a Cadet World Champion and two-time Junior World medalist. As a senior, he placed second at US Olympic Trials and holds multiple national and international championships.

Aaron Pico
Pico in 2014
Born	Aaron Pico (1996-09-23) September 23, 1996 Whittier, California, United States
Residence	Whittier, California, United States
Nationality	American
Height	5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight	145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
Division	Lightweight (155 lbs) (2017) Featherweight (145 lbs) (2017–present)
Reach	70 ^1⁄2 in (179 cm)
Style	Wrestling, Boxing, Pankration
Fighting out of	Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Team	Jackson Wink MMA Academy (2019–present)[1]
Trainer	Greg Jackson (Head Coach) Valentin Kalika, Sazhid Sazhidov (formally) (Wrestling) Sam Calavitta (Strength and Conditioning) Roberto Alencar (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) Freddie Roach (Boxing)
Rank	Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Roberto Alencar[2]
Wrestling	Olympic Freestyle Wrestling[3] Greco-Roman Wrestling[4]
Years active	2017–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	9
Wins	6
By knockout	5
By submission	1
Losses	3
By knockout	2
By submission	1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record Men's freestyle wrestling Representing  United States Junior World Championships 2014 Zagreb 66 kg 2015 Salvador 66 kg Cadet World Championships 2013 Zrenjanin 63kg

Wrestling career

Pico has experience in folkstyle, freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling, having won the US National championship in all 3 styles, at both the cadet and junior level. To win the freestyle junior national championship in 2014 and 2015, Pico defeated Zain Retherford (who would later win the 2017 & 2018 Dan Hodge Trophy, the equivalent of the Heisman Trophy) in the finals. He won 7–0 in 2014 and 8–5 in 2015.

Pico would go on to compete at the Cadet World Championships in freestyle. In 2013, in Zrenjanin, Serbia, Pico was the only gold for Team USA at the tournament. Aaron Pico defeated Japan's Fujinami 8–6 in the Gold medal match.[5][6] Pico was quoted. "I'm so happy to be here, as World Cadet Champion, and proud to have been representing my country." Aaron gave praise to the many community supporters for his professional development including his parents, family and friends as well as his valuable coach which has made all the difference".

At the freestyle junior world championships, Pico won a silver and bronze medal in 2014 and 2015. He lost to 2016 Olympic gold medal winner Hassan Yazdani of Iran 9–2 in the finals in 2014, and lost by criteria in a 7–7 match against Teymur Mammadov of Azerbaijan in the semifinals of 2015. In the bronze medal match Pico beat Enes Uslu of Turkey 13–4. At the trials to make the U.S. team, his final match was again against Zain Retherford in both 2014 and 2015. He won 3–0, 5–1 in 2014 and 5–2, 6–2 in 2015.

In November 2013 as high school sophomore, he made his senior level debut in a U.S.A. vs. Russia dual meet in Clifton Park, NY. Pico faced Alibeggadzhi Emeev of Russia, winning by decision 8–0.[7]In early November 2014 defeated former 2013 Senior World Champion, David Safaryan of Armenia at the 40th Annual Henri Deglane 40th in Nice, France. He would medal at multiple senior level events while still a teenager. Pico broke into the top 20 UWW world freestyle rankings.

Pico qualified for the Olympic trials in 2016 at 19 years of age. No teenager had made the freestyle wrestling Olympic team for 40 years. Pico defeated Jayson Ness by tech. fall, Jordan Oliver 11–9, and Reece Humphrey by tech. fall, making it to the finals against Frank Molinaro. In the best-of-3 finals, Pico won round 1, 4–2, but lost round 2, 4–3, and round 3, 4–4 on criteria. Ness, Oliver, and Molinaro are all former NCAA Division I national champions, and Humphrey was a national runner-up and senior U.S. freestyle national champ.

Boxing and pankration

In addition to wrestling, Pico also competed in boxing and Pankration. Pico won the national PAL championship in 2008 and was national Junior Golden Gloves champion in 2009, he won ‘most outstanding boxer’ at both tournaments. In Pankration, Pico also was a national champion in 2008. In addition, Pico went to Ukraine in 2010, and won the golden cup European Pankration championship. During this time Pico also won the California state championships in both sports.[8]

Mixed martial arts career

Aaron Pico was offered and signed major endorsement contracts with Dethrone Royalty, an MMA lifestyle apparel company owned by Nick Swinmurn, founder of Zappos and ownership partner of the Golden State Warriors.

In April 2014, Aaron signed a multi-year shoe endorsement with Nike.[9][10]

Bellator MMA

In early November 2014, Aaron signed a long term unprecedented contract with MMA promoter Bellator MMA and its parent company Viacom, as their new blue chip prospect.[11] Pico is versed in wrestling, amateur MMA and boxing and has multiple wins under his belt. Bellator MMA President, Scott Coker states, "Simply put, Aaron has all the makings of MMA's next great superstar, and to have him here at Bellator MMA is something special. Like many of us in the MMA community, Aaron is someone we've been watching closely over the last few years, and after sitting down with Bob Cook and his team, getting a chance to meet Aaron, and hearing his long-term aspirations, the fit became very obvious."[12]

Pico made his professional MMA debut at Bellator NYC on June 24, 2017, at the Madison Square Garden. He lost to Zach Freeman via submission just 24 seconds into the first round in an upset.[13]

After his upset loss to Freeman, Pico moved down to the featherweight division and faced Justin Linn at Bellator 183 on September 23, 2017.[14] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Pico faced Shane Krutchen at Bellator 192 on January 20, 2018.[15] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[16] with a brutal left to Krutchen's body.[17]

Pico faced Lee Morrison at Bellator 199 on May 12, 2018.[18] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[19]

Pico faced Leandro Higo at Bellator 206 on September 29, 2018..[20] He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.[21]

Pico faced Henry Corrales at Bellator 214 on January 26, 2019. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round. [22]

Pico faced Adam Borics at Bellator 222 on June 14, 2019.[23] He lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[24]

Pico faced Daniel Carey at Bellator 238 on January 25, 2020.[25] He won the fight via knockout in the second round.[26]

Pico faced Chris Hatley Jr. at Bellator 242 on July 24, 2020.[27] He won the fight via submission in the first round.[28]

Personal life

Aaron Pico is a seventh generation Californio.[29] Pico is a direct descendant of Pío de Jesus Pico, who was the last Mexican Governor of California under the Providence of Mexico.[30]

Championships and accomplishments

• Freestyle wrestling
  • 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials Senior Men Freestyle 65 kg 2nd place
  • 2016 Alexander Medved International Senior Men Freestyle 65 kg Bronze Medal
  • 2015 Cerro Pelado International Senior Men Freestyle 65 kg Champion – Havana, Cuba[31]
  • 2014 Henri Deglane Challenge Senior Men Freestyle 65 kg Champion – Nice, France[32]
  • 2014 Soslan Andiyev Senior Men Freestyle 70 kg Bronze Medal – North Ossetia – Alania, Russia[33]
  • 2014 Grand Prix of Spain Senior Men Freestyle 65 kg Silver Medal – Madrid, Spain[34]

• Boxing
  • 2008 Desert Showdown Champ – Indio, CA
  • 2008 California State PAL Champ – Oxnard, CA
  • 2008 National PAL Champ – Tournament Outstanding Boxer Award– Oxnard, CA
  • 2009 Desert Showdown Champ – Indio, CA
  • 2009 National Junior Golden Gloves Championship Champ – Mesquite, NV Tournament Outstanding Boxer Award

• Pankration
  • 2008 – CA State Pankration Championships Champ – Santa Ana, CA
  • 2008 – National Pankration Championships Champ – Santa Ana, CA[35]
  • 2009 – CA State Pankration Championships Champ – Santa Ana, CA[36]
  • 2010 – Golden Cup European Pankration Champ – Kharkov, Ukraine

[37]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
9 matches	6 wins	3 losses
By knockout	5	2
By submission	1	1

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Win	6–3	Chris Hatley	Submission (rear-naked choke)	Bellator 242	July 24, 2020	1	2:10	Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win	5–3	Daniel Carey	KO (punch)	Bellator 238	January 25, 2020	2	0:15	Inglewood, California, United States
Loss	4–3	Ádám Borics	TKO (flying knee and punches)	Bellator 222	June 14, 2019	2	3:55	New York City, New York, United States
Loss	4–2	Henry Corrales	KO (punches)	Bellator 214	January 26, 2019	1	1:07	Inglewood, California, United States
Win	4–1	Leandro Higo	TKO (elbow and punches)	Bellator 206	September 29, 2018	1	3:19	San Jose, California, United States
Win	3–1	Lee Morrison	TKO (punches)	Bellator 199	May 12, 2018	1	1:10	San Jose, California, United States
Win	2–1	Shane Krutchen	TKO (body punch)	Bellator 192	January 20, 2018	1	0:37	Inglewood, California, United States
Win	1–1	Justin Linn	KO (punch)	Bellator 183	September 24, 2017	1	3:45	San Jose, California, United States	Featherweight debut.
Loss	0–1	Zach Freeman	Submission (guillotine choke)	Bellator 180	June 24, 2017	1	0:24	New York City, New York, United States	Lightweight debut.

[38]

Freestyle record

Senior Freestyle Matches
Res.	Record	Opponent	Score	Date	Event	Location
2016 US Olympic Team Trials 65 kg
Loss	35-12	Frank Molinaro	4-4	April 9, 2016	2016 US Olympic Team Trials	Iowa City, Iowa
Loss	35-11	Frank Molinaro	3-4
Win	35-10	Frank Molinaro	4-2
Win	34-10	Reece Humphrey	TF 12-1		2016 US Olympic Team Trials Challenge
Win	33-10	Jordan Oliver	11-9
Win	32-10	Jayson Ness	TF 20-9
2016 Medved International at 70kg
Win	31-10	Davit Tlashadze	10-5	February 18 - 19, 2016	2016 Alexander Medved Prizes Ranking Series	Minsk, Belarus
Loss	30-10	Zurabi Iakobishvili	3-5
Win	30-9	Andrei Karpach	TF 12-0
Win	29-9	Ganzorigiin Mandakhnaran	TF 11-0
Win	28-9	Kanat Musabekov	TF 14-4
2016 Outstanding Ukrainian Wrestlers and Coaches Memorial 5th at 70kg
Loss	27-9	Valter Margaryan		February 13 - 14, 2016	XXth Outstanding Ukrainian Wrestlers and Coaches Memorial	Kiev, Ukraine
Loss	27-8	Saeed Dadashpour	3-7
Win	27-7	Nazar Kulchytskyy	6-2
2015 US Nationals 4th at 65kg
Loss	26-7	Reece Humphrey	TF 0-10	December 17-19, 2015	2015 US National Championships	Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	26-6	Frank Molinaro	14-5
Loss	25-6	Logan Stieber	5-13
Win	25-5	Kellen Russell	10-3
Win	24-5	Justin Feldman	TF 10-0
Win	23-5	Nick Dardanes	6-0
2015 Bill Farrell Open at 65kg
Win	22-5	Frank Molinaro	7-4	November 5-7, 2015	2015 Bill Farrell International Open	New York, New York
Win	21-5	Jason Chamberlain	11-4
Win	20-5	Nazar Kulchytskyy	8-2
Win	19-5	Kendric Maple	TF 11-0
Loss	18-5	Frank Molinaro	2-4
Win	18-4	Filip Stefanov	TF 10-0
Win	17-4	Mario Mason	TF 10-0
2015 Intercontinental Cup 5th at 70
Loss	16-4	Azamat Omurzhanov	4-4	October 16-18, 2015	2015 Intercontinental Cup	Khasavyurt, Russia
Loss	16-3	Amir Berukov	8-12
Win	16-2	Abutalim Gamzaev	13-9
Win	15-2	Magomed Khizriev	11-9
Win	14-2	Arsen Gusbanov	TF 11-0
2015 Granma y Cerro Pelado at 65kg
Win	13-2	Reece Humphrey	6-0	February 11 - 15, 2015	2015 Granma y Cerro Pelado	Havana, Cuba
Win	12-2	Alejandro Valdés	5-2
Win	11-2	Franklin Maren	1-1
Win	10-2	Matheus Frota	TF 10-0
2015 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix 21st at 65 kg
Loss	9-2	Akhmed Chakaev	3-6	January 22 - 26, 2015	2015 Ivan Yarygin Golden Grand Prix	Krasnoyarsk, Russia
2014 Henri Deglane at 65kg
Win	9-1	Devid Safaryan	7-5	November 28-29, 2014	2014 Henri Deglane Challenge	Nice, France
Win	8-1	Davit Berdznishvili	10-5
Win	7-1	Maxime Fiquet	TF 12-0
Win	6-1	Ruslan Mukhtarov	TF 14-4
Win	5-1	Bruno Lawson	TF 11-0
2014 Spain Grand Prix at 65kg
Loss	4-1	Frank Chamizo	2-4	July 5, 2014	2014 Grand Prix of Spain	Madrid, Spain
Win	4-0	Lee Seung-bong	TF 10-0
Win	3-0	Abdollahpour Gholamreza	9-1
Win	2-0	Rodrigue Lawson Massamba	TF 11-0
2013 USA vs. Russia at 66 kg
Win	1-0	Alibeggadzhi Emeev	8-0	November 16, 2013	2013 U.S.A vs. Russia Dual Meet I	Clifton Park, New York

Junior freestyle record

Junior freestyle results
Res.	Record	Opponent	Score	Date	Event	Location
2015 World Championship at 66 kg
Win	34-2	Enes Uslu	13-6	August 11-16, 2015	2015 Junior World Championships	Salvador da Bahia, Brazil
Loss	33-2	Teymur Mammadov	7-7
Win	33-1	Ilyas Zhumay	TF 10-0
Win	32-1	Kalman Balasz	TF 11-0
2015 US World Team Trials at 66 kg
Win	31-1	Zain Retherford	6-2	June 12-14, 2015	2015 US Junior World Team Trials	Madison, Wisconsin
Win	30-1	Zain Retherford	5-2
2015 US Nationals at 66 kg
Win	29-1	Zain Retherford	8-5	May 6-9, 2015	2015 FILA US National Championships	Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	28-1	Alfred Bannister	TF 11-1
Win	27-1	Chandler Pyke	TF 10-0
Win	26-1	Gabriel Grahek	TF 12-2
Win	25-1	Luke Zilverberg	TF 10-0
2014 World Championship at 66 kg
Loss	24-1	Hassan Yazdani	2-9	August 5-10, 2014	2014 Junior World Championships	Zagreb, Croatia
Win	24-0	Mihail Georgie	TF 11-0
Win	23-0	Surkho Rashitkhanov	TF 10-0
Win	22-0	Kyrillos Binenbaum	TF 10-0
Win	21-0	Daichi Takatani	7-5
2014 US World Team Trials at 66 kg
Win	20-0	Zain Retherford	5-1	May 30 - June 1, 2014	2014 US Junior World Team Trials	Madison, Wisconsin
Win	19-0	Zain Retherford	3-0
2014 US Nationals at 66 kg
Win	18-0	Zain Retherford	7-0	April 18-19, 2014	2014 FILA US National Championships	Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	17-0	Jake Short	TF 12-0
Win	18-0	Jamel Hudson	TF 11-0
Win	17-0	Jordan Laster	TF 10-0
Win	16-0	Luke Zilverberg	TF 10-0
Win	15-0	Jake DeAngelo	TF 11-0
2013 USAW Nationals at 138 lb
Win	14-0	Joey McKenna	TF 10-0	July 18-20, 2013	2013 USAW Junior Fargo National Championships	Fargo, North Dakota
Win	13-0		TF 10-0
Win	12-0		TF 10-0
Win	11-0		TF 12-2
Win	10-0		TF 10-0
Win	9-0		TF 20-10
Win	8-0		TF 18-8
Win	7-0		TF 10-0
Win	6-0		TF 10-0
Win	5-0		TF 10-0
2013 US Nationals at 63 kg
Win	4-0	Joey Ward	7-0, 5-0	April 18-20, 2013	2013 FILA US National Championships	Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	3-0	Christopher Carton	4-0, 4-0
Win	2-0	Cole Mendenhall	2-0, 3-1
Win	1-0	Brandon Charbonneau	4-1, 5-0

See also

• List of current Bellator fighters

References

1. Marc Raimondi (May 7, 2019). "Sources: Prospect Pico to JacksonWink MMA". espn.com.
2. aaronpicousa (December 7, 2019). "Earned not given. Thank you @tussagb for blue belt. 🥋". Instagram.
3. Steven Marrocco (January 19, 2019). "'Nothing is off the table' for Bellator standout Aaron Pico – even a run at 2020 Olympics". mmajunkie.com.
4. "Aaron Pico". Cal Grappler. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
5. "2013 FILA Cadet World Championships Recap: Pico captured gold in freestyle at Zrenjanin, Serbia". WIN Magazine: Amateur Wrestling News.
6. "UPDATE Pico wins gold medal 26899". Team USA.
7. "Pico soars in Senior level debut as Russia defeats USA 4-3". Team USA.
8. Tierney, Tom. "Aaron Pico in Retrospect: Revisting the "blue chip prospect"". The Body Lock. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
9. "Aaron Pico to wear Nike wrestling boots in pursuit of his dreams!". Athlete Performance Solutions.
10. "Video Interview: Aaron Pico". YouTube.
11. ""MMA's Greatest Prospect" Joins Bellator MMA - Bellator MMA". Archived from the original on 2014-12-26.
12. ""The Next Jon Jones": Bellator Signs 18-Year-Old Prospect Aaron Pico to Long-Term Contract - Cagepotato".
13. "Bellator NYC results: Huge underdog Zach Freeman chokes out Aaron Pico in 24 seconds". MMAjunkie. 2017-06-25. Retrieved 2017-06-25.
14. Alexander K. Lee (September 5, 2017). "Aaron Pico drops down to featherweight for second fight, meets Justin Linn at Bellator 183". mmafighting.com.
15. Fernanda Prates (January 18, 2018). "Bellator 192's Aaron Pico's fight day: Cold-pressed juice, grass-fed meats and church". mmajunkie.com.
16. Mike Bohn (January 20, 2018). "Bellator 192 results: Aaron Pico scores 37-second KO with body shot". mmajunkie.com.
17. "Video: Aaron Pico disintegrates Shane Kruchten with body punch at Bellator 192".
18. Guilherme Cruz (April 3, 2018). "Aaron Pico returns against Lee Morrison at Bellator 199". mmafighting.com.
19. Simon Samano (May 12, 2018). "Bellator 199 results: Aaron Pico lands huge body shot for second straight TKO victory". mmajunkie.com.
20. "Elite prospect Aaron Pico matched up with Leandro Higo at Bellator 206". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
21. "Bellator 206 results: Aaron Pico rolls over Leandro Higo". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-09-30.
22. Steven Marrocco (2019-01-26). "Bellator 214 results: Henry Corrales rebounds, knocks out Aaron Pico in stunning fashion". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
23. Alexander K. Lee (May 12, 2019). "Aaron Pico to fight unbeaten Adam Borics at Bellator 222". mmafighting.com.
24. Mike Bohn (June 14, 2019). "Bellator 222 results: Adam Borics turns tables on Aaron Pico with flying knee KO". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
25. Farah Hannoun (December 3, 2019). "Adam Borics vs. Darrion Caldwell grand prix matchup set for Bellator 238". mmafighting.com.
26. "Bellator 238 results: Live 'Cyborg vs Budd' streaming play-by-play updates". MMAMania.com. January 25, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
27. Newswire, MMA Fighting (2020-07-15). "Bellator 242 official for July 24, full card announced including return of Aaron Pico". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
28. Anderson, Jay (2020-07-24). "Bellator 242 Results: Aaron Pico Pulls Off Quick Submission of Solo Hatley Jr". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
29. "Photos: Wrestler Aaron Pico, a Pio Pico descendant".
30. "Freestyle Wrestling World Cup - L.A." www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
31. http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2015/February/14/USA-wins-four-more-golds-in-Cuba
32. "UPDATE: Pico, Anthony, Maroulis win golds at Henri Deglane Challenge in France". Team USA.
33. "FLASH: Pico wins bronze at Senior-level Soslan Andiev International in Russia". Team USA.
34. "Tunisia's Amri Wins Grand Prix of Spain as Sweden, Kazakhstan Impress". Archived from the original on 2017-08-30. Retrieved 2014-12-27.
35. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2014-12-26.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
36. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2014-12-26.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
37. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2014-12-26.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
38. Sherdog.com. "Aaron Pico MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-09-30.

External links

• Aaron Pico Official Website